ENTERITIS. 221 



quioker than in colic. The breathing is more hurried, and the 

 indication of suffering more evident. " The next stage," in the 

 graphic language of Mr. Percival, "borders on delirium. The 

 eye acquires a wild, haggard, unnatural stare — the pupil dilates 

 — ^his heedless and dreadful throes render approach to hini quite 

 perilous. He is an object not only of compassion but of appre- 

 hension, and seems fast hurrying to his end ; when, all at once, 

 in the midst of agonizing torments, he stands quiet, as though 

 every pain had left him, and he were going to recover. His 

 breathing becomes tranquillized — his pulse sunk beyond all per- 

 ception — his body bedewed with a cold, clammy sweat — ^he is in 

 a tremor from head to foot, and about the legs and ears has even 

 a death-like feel. The mouth feels deadly chill ; the lips drop 

 pendulous ; and the eye seems unconscious of objects. In fine, 

 death, not recovery, is at hand. Mortification has seized the in- 

 flamed bowel — ^pain can no longer be felt in that which, a few 

 minutes ago, was the seat of exquisite suffering. He again be- 

 comes convulsed, and in a few more struggles, less violent than the 

 former, he expires." 



The treatment of inflammation of the bowels, like that of the 

 lungs, should be prompt and energetic. The first and most pow- 

 erfiil means of cure will be bleeding. From six to eight or ten 

 quarts of blood, in fact, as much as the horse can bear, should be 

 abstracted as soon as possible ; and the bleeding repeated to the 

 extent of four or five quarts more, if the pain is not relieved and 

 the pulse has not become rounder and fuller. The speedy weak 

 ness that accompanies this disease should not deter from bleeding 

 largely. That weakness is the consequence of violent inflamma- 

 tion of these parts ; and if that inflammation is subdued by the 

 loss of blood, the weakness will disappear. The bleeding should 

 be effected on the first appearance of the disease, for there is no 

 malady that more quicldy runs its course. 



A strong solution of aloes should immediately follow the bleed- 

 ing, but, considering the irritable state of the intestines at this 

 period, guarded by opium. This should be quickly followed by 

 back-raking, and injections consisting of warm water, or very 

 thin gruel, in which Epsom salts or aloes have been dissolved ; 

 and too much fluid can scarcely be throvvni up. If the common 

 ox-bladder and pipe is used, it should be frequently replenished ; 

 but with Read's patent pump, already referred to, sufficient may 

 be injected to penetrate beyond the rectum, and reach to the 

 colon and caecum, and dispose them to evacuate their contents 

 The horse should likewise be encouraged to drink plentifully of 

 warm water or thin gruel ; and draughts, each containing a 

 couple of drachms of dissolved aloes, with a little opium, should 

 be given every six hours, until the bowels are freely opened. 



